"Do voters have a right to know the contents of the report before the general election?" the reporter asked once more, as Blair approached his car.

The former prime minister turned and said, curtly: "I just told you I put out a statement, so you can go and read the statement."

On Wednesday afternoon, Blair's office issued a statement denying he was responsible for the delay in the report, it read:

"While we do not intend to provide a running commentary on the process involved in the publication of the report, it is important to state the following for the sake of clarity.

"We have repeatedly said that it is not true to say that Tony Blair has caused the delay in the report’s publication.

"Sir John’s letter makes reference to notes and records concerning Mr Blair, which some may interpret as an implicit suggestion that Mr Blair caused the delay, this is not true. On the contrary, he regrets this delay in its publication.

"Incorrect allegations and politically motivated speculation do nothing to shine a light on the issues involved. It is an independent inquiry and it should be allowed to proceed with its work."